But after Belong, which is transforming the old Maxims into a care village, learned he had a conviction for possessing child abuse images, Mr Holdcroft and his story will no longer be part of the play.

The script has since been re-worked and the cast re-jigged ahead of performances at the New Vic Theatre in Basford later this month (April).

Martin Holdcroft when he appeared in court for downloading indecent images

A Belong spokesman said: “This was a community project in association with the New Vic Theatre, and as such, was open to any members of the public, who were invited to come forward with their memories.

“Consequently, many responses were received, including a submission from Mr Holdcroft.

“Naturally, when informed of certain historical events involving Mr Holdcroft, we were as shocked as others, and acted immediately to inform him that we could no longer include him in the project.

Read More

“We apologise for any distress that may have been caused as a result of his brief association with this public art project.

“Since being informed of the situation, The New Vic Theatre has worked with us and remaining members of the public to revisit the content of the play, which is made of many storylines from the building’s four centuries of history, and the fond memories of generations of people in the town.”

Martin Holdcroft has been kicked off ‘Lost and Found at Maxims’

Former Staffordshire Police employee Mr Holdcroft was caught downloading more than 20,473 indecent images and films of children.

Read More

The defendant, formerly of Meadowside, Loggerheads, pleaded guilty to six offences of making indecent photographs of a child and was handed a suspended prison sentence at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in April 2016.